Banana Cupcakes With Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

I absolutely love this recipe because it perfectly combines the nostalgic comfort of a classic banana bread with the irresistible elegance of brown butter cream cheese frosting, creating a delightful treat that’s both familiar and indulgent. Plus, making each step is such a satisfying experience, from whipping up the fluffy batter to watching my friends’ faces light up when they take that first bite—it’s pure joy!

Combining ripe bananas and a hint of vanilla yields a sweet and fragrant base for my cupcakes. When you factor in the depth of flavor imparted by brown sugar, these cupcakes are nearly impossible to resist.

Sour cream adds an undercurrent of richness, but the true showstopper here is the brown butter cream cheese frosting. Nutty, with just the right level of sweetness to not compete with the cupcake, this is an ideal topping.

Banana Cupcakes With Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe Ingredients

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and carbohydrates; base for cupcakes.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and moisture; essential for fluffy texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cupcakes; aids in browning and tenderness.
• Brown Sugar: Contributes caramel notes and moisture; deeper flavor.
• Ripe Bananas: Provide natural sweetness; keep cupcakes moist and soft.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients; add structure and moisture to the batter.
• Sour Cream: Creates tenderness; adds slight tang for balanced flavor.
• Browned Butter: Infuses frosting with a nutty, rich flavor.
• Cream Cheese: Brings tanginess and creaminess to the frosting.

Banana Cupcakes With Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe Ingredient Quantities

• 1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large ripe bananas, mashed
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, browned and cooled
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 3 and 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

How to Make this Banana Cupcakes With Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

1. Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to warm up and get a cupcake pan ready by lining the wells with paper liners.

2. In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

3. In a sizable mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.

4. Mix in the eggs, one at a time, and be certain to have each one mixed in completely before adding the next. Then add the vanilla extract.

5. Incorporate the mashed bananas and sour cream until they are mixed together.

6. Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing just long enough to avoid lumps.

7. Evenly distribute the batter among the cupcake liners, filling each to about two-thirds of its capacity.

8. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners. This recipe makes 12 cupcakes. If you don’t have a wire rack, you can use an overturned baking sheet.

9. To make the frosting, beat the cooled, browned butter with the softened cream cheese until they’re absolutely smooth. Then, very gradually, add in the powdered sugar. All the while, you’re mixing and mixing, and you’re going to get a creamy, fluffy frosting that’s perfect for spreading.

10. Frost the cupcakes as generously as you wish with the brown butter cream cheese frosting. Once they’re all frosted and looking pretty, serve to friends and family.

Banana Cupcakes With Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Oven
2. Cupcake pan
3. Paper liners
4. Medium mixing bowl
5. Large mixing bowl
6. Hand mixer or stand mixer
7. Measuring cups
8. Measuring spoons
9. Spatula
10. Whisk
11. Spoon or scoop
12. Wire rack or overturned baking sheet for cooling
13. Small saucepan (for browning butter)

FAQ

• Q: Can I use frozen bananas for this recipe?A: Yes, frozen bananas can be used. However, ensure they are thawed and well-drained before mashing.
• Q: Can I substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free alternative?A: Of course. You can use a gluten-free flour mix, but the texture might not be quite the same.
• Q: How do I properly brown butter?A: Medium heat is the way to go. Melt the butter, and let it do its thing. Don’t stand there like a sentry; swirl it now and then. It’ll be about 2 minutes until it looks like the butter is done (or a couple of shades darker than this photo). Smell it. If it has a nutty fragrance, you’ve got it. If it doesn’t, let it go another 15 seconds or so.
• Q: Can I make the frosting ahead of time?A: Yes, a day before, you can make the frosting. Put it in the fridge so that it will be nice and cold when it’s time to serve. Allow the frosting to come to room temperature before serving so that it’s spreadable.
• Q: What is the best way to store leftover cupcakes?A: Place them in the refrigerator in a container that “seals in the good stuff” for three days max.
• Q: Can I use a hand mixer to make this recipe?A: Yes, a hand mixer will work for both the batter of the cupcakes and the frosting.
• Q: Do I need to adjust the baking time for mini cupcakes?A: Yes, cut the time you spend baking them down to a brisk 10 to 12 minutes, and watch them closely lest you allow them to bake past the point of perfect.

Banana Cupcakes With Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Use whole wheat flour in the same quantity in place of all-purpose flour, and enjoy a nuttier taste.
Coconut sugar: Substitute with an equal amount of maple syrup or use granulated sugar for a natural sweetener.
Coconut sugar: Substitute with the same amount of another sugar, using either brown sugar (dark or light) for a more caramel-like flavor and depth. You can also substitute with an equal amount of white sugar or a little less cane sugar (also a white sugar).
Sour cream. Try this: For a similar texture and taste, use plain Greek yogurt.
Mascarpone cheese offers a deliciously rich frosting, and it’s a suitable substitute for cream cheese. If baking with mascarpone seems foreign to you, here’s a simple cream cheese and mascarpone frosting recipe to get you started.

Pro Tips

1. Brown Butter First: For a richer flavor, make the brown butter a day ahead. After browning, allow it to cool to solidify slightly, then bring to room temperature before using. This step can deepen the nutty flavor.